August 24, 1909.

Dear Mama! I received your letter yesterday and am replying by the first post. As for Manyasha, you worry unnecessarily. She is recovering well. It is true that she cannot yet walk for long distances: some pain in her leg (the right one) remains. We asked doctors both in Paris and here in the village whether this means anything bad. Everyone says no. They say her recovery is proceeding properly, only somewhat slowly. They advised Manyasha to wear a bandage so that there would be less jarring when she walks. Yesterday she walked 5-6 versts, slept excellently afterward, and feels well. Generally speaking, her appearance has become incomparably better, her appetite and sleep are good, she looks completely healthy. In a word — I am writing you quite frankly — everything is going splendidly, only slowly. This is probably explained by severe exhaustion over the winter. We are resting well here. We have already been here 3 weeks, we are thinking of staying another two weeks, perhaps even three. Whether Manyasha will be able to go to Russia in a month, I cannot yet say. In three weeks of rest she has recovered considerably. I advise her earnestly to drink more milk and eat sour milk. She makes it herself, but in my view she is still not nourishing herself sufficiently: on account of this we are constantly squabbling with each other.

We have good rooms here, the pension is good and inexpensive (10 francs a day for the four of us). We all go cycling with Nadia.

I embrace you warmly, my dear, and wish you good health.

Your V. U.

Everyone sends their warmest greetings.

P. S. What news from Mark? Has he fully recovered from his operation? Greetings to him from all of us!

at the station Sinelnikovo

(Ekaterinoslav Province)

in the journal

Sent from Bombonne (France)

First published in 1930

"Proletarian Revolution" No. 1

Printed from the manuscript